This was evident when Billups was traded two games into the season, rather than during the offseason where they could have had training camp and the whole preseason to get acclimated to Allen Iverson. Instead they ran camp with the same ol’ system and then replaced Billups with a player who wouldn’t be able to do the same things.

It’s not about whether or not Billups for Iverson was smart cap-wise. Detroit automatically lost when they shocked everyone and did it two games into the year. There’s a reason there’s 4-6 months between seasons.

Detroit basically decided that change for the sake of change was better than riding out a team that would at least make conference finals every year. They are trying to rebuild on the fly which, as we’ve seen first hand in NY, it doesn’t really work that way.

The team has one all-star (Hamilton) signed him to an extension, and then signed an inferior player (Gordon) at the same position to a long-term deal only six months later. This does not exactly scream “Master Plan”.

If anything, this is Isiah Thomas logic, just acquiring flawed pieces that don’t fit.

“Had he given either guy significant money I would agree, but when you’re paying a solid NBA bigman chump change ($4 mill for Kwame this season, 3 mill for Wilcox) on a two year deal it’s very hard to say you’re paying for the name.”

Okay, but this is an offseason where Allen Iverson can’t even get 2 million dollars out of a team. Ramon Sessions is looking at 3-4 million and there’s no doubt who you’d rather have at that price. Dumars basically bid against himself here, for a player he didn’t particularly need, not when James Singleton is still unsigned and looking at a veteran’s minimum deal.

“And Darko > Wilcox by far”

“The only edge Darko has is as a shot blocker, something you might expect from a C vs. a PF.”

But that’s the thing though, Darko is actually a center, which are tough to come by. Players like Wilcox are a dime a dozen. He could have just as easily been playing in Europe with Linas Kleiza and Von Wafer had Detroit not thrown him a bone. He’s not getting any better and his game is based on his athleticism which doesn’t exactly bode well for his future.

I’m not upset to have Darko over Wilcox since the Knicks need help at the 5 and a shot blocker plus there’s the small chance Darko figures out how to put the ball in the hole under D’Antoni, but to date Wilcox has been a better NBA player.

]]>By: Ricky_Jhttp://KnickerBlogger.Net/2009-report-card-chris-wilcox/#comment-279063
Mon, 24 Aug 2009 18:17:55 +0000http://www.knickerblogger.net/?p=2258#comment-279063As a Knick fan who went to Maryland in the late 90s, let me say the Francis and Wilcox stints have been doubly painful to watch. But out of some semblance of loyalty, let me be the first to quibble that Wilcox was a D minus rather than an F+.

(I’m also hoping to rekindle the heated debate we saw over JJ’s grade).

This may prove to be true, but I would wait to see how his offseason moves turn out first. Detroit’s still a talented team and probably a playoff team in the East, although probably not a contender.
The biggest criticism I have of Joe Dumars at this point is probably that he hasn’t traded Rip Hamilton yet. I don’t know what the market for him is, but Ben Gordon is basically a younger Hamilton and I think he would be more valuable taking Hamilton’s role than playing alongside him. I guess Hamilton is the team leader, but after sulking on the bench and feuding with the coach last season I’m not sure he’s any better a “team leader” for Detroit than Q was for the Knicks.
Dumars might have overpaid Gordon, but there’s no doubt the guy can score. Charlie Villanueva can play, but I think Dumars has to be expecting some growth.

“Wilcox’s deal reminds me of Kwame Brown’s a year ago. Paying for the name rather than the game.”

Had he given either guy significant money I would agree, but when you’re paying a solid NBA bigman chump change ($4 mill for Kwame this season, 3 mill for Wilcox) on a two year deal it’s very hard to say you’re paying for the name. If he’d given them more money and/or more years I might agree.

“And Darko > Wilcox by far”

Based on what???????????? Wilcox is a far better scorer, and their rebound, assist, and TO #s are almost identical. The only edge Darko has is as a shot blocker, something you might expect from a C vs. a PF.
I’m not upset to have Darko over Wilcox since the Knicks need help at the 5 and a shot blocker plus there’s the small chance Darko figures out how to put the ball in the hole under D’Antoni, but to date Wilcox has been a better NBA player.

In any event, they won’t miss him, and Joe Dumars is quickly becoming one of the league’s most overrated GMs.

Wilcox’s deal reminds me of Kwame Brown’s a year ago. Paying for the name rather than the game.

]]>By: Thomas B.http://KnickerBlogger.Net/2009-report-card-chris-wilcox/#comment-279051
Sat, 22 Aug 2009 22:05:06 +0000http://www.knickerblogger.net/?p=2258#comment-279051Wilcox. Meh. I agree, he should be compared to Rose rather than Lee. He was better to see than Rose.

The problem with a grade of F is that there are degrees of F. There is the 62% correct almost passed F, then the 8% did you even spell your name correctly F. Which one was Chris?

]]>By: Z-manhttp://KnickerBlogger.Net/2009-report-card-chris-wilcox/#comment-279047
Sat, 22 Aug 2009 08:55:33 +0000http://www.knickerblogger.net/?p=2258#comment-279047The fact that his most similar player is Pat Cummings says it all. One of the worst Knick busts ever, acquired via an Isiah-like trade by, I believe, Al Bianchi. Surprised Jawan Oldham’s name didn’t pop up (another bust big man that we acquired in exchange for a first round pick.)
]]>By: Zhttp://KnickerBlogger.Net/2009-report-card-chris-wilcox/#comment-279046
Sat, 22 Aug 2009 06:14:27 +0000http://www.knickerblogger.net/?p=2258#comment-279046Shouldn’t his grade be based on what Malik Rose was giving us up until the deadline?
]]>By: BigBlueALhttp://KnickerBlogger.Net/2009-report-card-chris-wilcox/#comment-279045
Sat, 22 Aug 2009 05:47:13 +0000http://www.knickerblogger.net/?p=2258#comment-279045Wilcox played for the Knicks last season????
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